Natalie's Deception (The Candy Cane Girls Book 5)

by Bonnie Engstrom

  “You’re right, she does. I think Bryce does, too. So, if such a thing was available for clients to grab before they leave . . . mmm. I just don’t know what that would involve, both city ordinance wise and price for stocking.”

  Claire looked at her a little sheepish. “I didn’t mean for it to be a money maker. But, in the long run it could bring more clients in as word spreads.”

  “What about the Teen Saturdays?” Nat asked. “Wouldn’t that infringe on the regular, established Saturday clients?”

  “I started calculating how many regular clients come on Saturdays. Remember, you have been gone about a month, so it became a thing for me. Helped pass the time. I also took the liberty of asking. Clientele is down on weekends, and those who come during the week said they would love to bring their teens for at least one session a month. Maybe a special Teen Encounter class. I thought we could call it Teen Bump Up.” She giggled. “We could even have a Mom and Teen class. I would have loved that when my kids were teens. Give them something healthy to focus on, other than drugs and booze.”

  Natalie knew Nick had gotten into substance abuse when he was just a kid, so she understood Claire’s desire to create something positive for young people. But, who would be best to teach it? If it happened.

  “Do you have anyone in mind to teach it?” She looked at Claire curiously. Surely, the woman had thought this through since she was so organized.

  Claire hesitated, and Nat was afraid she was going to suggest her son Nick. But, she didn’t, and Nat was surprised. Very.

  “I thought maybe Bryce. Since he’s sky dive instructor. Sort of like a hero type.”

  “He’s what?” Natalie almost screamed. She felt beads of moisture break out on her forehead and under her arms, and her body trembled. She was confused, and without understanding why, angry.

  “And,” Claire continued, “he rides a cycle. Kids love that image.”

  ~

  Natalie was trying to process this. How could she have missed it? The voice, the gestures, the lowered brows at Connie’s? She felt like a fool. She called Melanie.

  “You are not a fool, just trusting.”

  “But, I knew I recognized that voice from somewhere. I just couldn’t place it. It wasn’t the same voice he uses in conversation. It was different, more commanding, authoritative and controlling. Bossy.”

  “I agree. Only because I called the sky dive place and insisted on the instructor’s name, did I know. I am so sorry, Nat. I wanted to tell you, but I didn’t want to discourage you from diving, and I knew how much you counted on Bryce for the gym.” If Natalie could have seen her lowering her head and brushing tears from her eyes, she would have understood. Melanie was her friend, a friend who would never betray her. But, a friend who tried to do her best.

  “Does Billy know?” Nat couldn’t resist asking. That would be the final straw if he did.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  Billy didn’t understand Nat’s text. Did you know about Bryce?

  What do you mean? I don’t understand.

  Instructor. Sky diving guy. Left me to hobble to my car after accident.

  No! Horrible. I never knew who any of the instructors were. They never revealed themselves, always cloaked in face masks. Why do you think it was him?

  Melanie found out, told me. I feel betrayed.

  By him?

  Yes. He faked being my friend, even came to Scottsdale to be with me.

  Self-serving. Not a good friend.

  I was worried you knew since you helped him when he got stopped by the Arizona Highway Patrol. You vouched for him.

  I did. But only because I recognized him from your gym, and because I wanted to help another friend of yours. If I had known. Well, figure that out.

  I’m glad you helped him. He needed it. But, I almost freaked out when two of you showed up at Connie’s. What is ‘our’ situation now? Please be honest.

  Natalie put the phone down. She was confused, but it seemed to her that Billy was sincere. More so than Bryce had been. She still had trouble thinking about him abandoning her when she did her abortive drive. Especially since she was following sky diving protocol to avoid a tree.

  Billy had seemed contrite and honest. He’d had no clue the instructor who had left her injured and limping was Bryce. Neither of them had known Bryce was even involved in sky diving. What, Natalie wondered, was the big secret? She decided to confront Bryce, maybe tomorrow at the gym. She hoped Claire would be available to stand by her.

  The next morning she called Claire into her office. She had started to trust the older woman. She needed support, and hopefully Claire was it.

  She shared the entire story with Claire from Billy suggesting sky diving and Bryce following her to Arizona, to the mystery instructor who ignored her bad dive that injured her, to her friend Melanie’s discovery about Bryce, to her text conversation with Billy. When she finished she was exhausted and drained. Emotions can sure wipe one out.

  Claire’s lavender eyes turned a deep purple again. This time she stood and walked around Nat’s desk to envelope her in wide arms. “Never wanted to tell you, or say this,” she said with conviction, “but I didn’t trust him completely from the get go.”

  Natalie shook in her arms needing some genuine, physical support. “I guess I have too much trust,” she spluttered. “I believed in him as a friend.”

  “I think he is a friend,” Claire said, “or at least he believes he is. He wants to be special to you.”

  Nat shook her head. “I never felt that way about him. I still don’t. I liked him as a friend, even went to his dad’s event with him. Out of obligation, and because he said he had no one else to take. If he had even brought up sky diving, I would have been forewarned, or at least shown enough interest we may have made the right connection. Instead, he basically lied. Deliberately, by omission.”

  Claire shook her head, too. “I am only guessing, but I think he is not a believer?”

  Nat shrugged. “Don’t know, but he never talks about faith, even the few times I’ve brought it up, he changes the subject.”

  “Well,” Claire proclaimed, “we need to change that.” She smiled at Natalie and hugged her again.

  ~

  Claire took charge. Again. The woman was persuasive. And effective. She knew how to go about this. Or so Natalie hoped.

  The next morning, Friday, after Natalie opened the gym by pressing the numbers on the security lock, she walked over to the posting board to read everyone’s schedules. She saw her own, a Jumba class at ten, Claire’s stating she would set up for Nat’s class, and Bryce’s list of personal training sessions, as well as a group session. Then she read the note at the bottom.

  Invitation: As most of you know, this gym was founded on Christian principals. No, we do not exclude anyone, but include everyone of every faith. We love all people and love getting to know them. We all need to expand our horizons to LOVE FOR ALL. Please feel free to join us every Monday morning at 6 a.m. before the gym officially opens for a brief interfaith meeting. Coffee and donuts will be served. But, please be prepared to share your faith, or even lack of it. Don’t be shy, please. This can be an fun, informative time for us to understand and love each other. Claire, Assistant to Natalie.

  Natalie was blown away. She wasn’t sure about this. She had a deep faith, and she knew Claire did, too. But, would this kind of announcement turn members off? She needed the income, and lately membership had increased minimally, but she couldn’t afford to lose any. But, she knew if God wanted her and the gym to do this faith sharing situation He would honor it and would provide. He always had.

  She jiggled her keys and marched to her office door. Claire was right behind her. Was the woman shadowing her? She turned abruptly and without measuring her words or reaction, said, “What?”

  “Oh, startled you. Sorry. Guess I’m a little upfront.”

  Nat wasn’t sure how to reply, but she bit her tongue and pasted on a grin. “S’okay. I was surprised
by the announcement that I hadn’t approved.”

  “Ugh. Never thought about that. Sorry, again. Bad call on my part.”

  Natalie took a mental step back to process that. Yes, it was totally inappropriate for Claire to make a decision for Nat’s business without consulting her. Maybe if she had, she would have agreed anyway. But, now she didn’t have a choice. She figured out Claire was trying to snare Bryce into attending the meetings and maybe hearing about others’ faith walks to encourage him.

  She decided to confront Claire. Saying a silent prayer, she spoke. “Yes, it was a bad call. I know you meant well, and I can figure out why. But, this is my livelihood, and I need to make all the decisions.”

  Claire slumped in the extra chair and wrung her hands. Nat refused to feel bad about the other woman’s angst. Claire needed to process what she had done. Finally, she said, “I will erase the message from the board right now.”

  “No, wait.” Nat held up her hand. “Let’s see how many sign up to attend, and” she sighed, “if any do.”

  Claire nodded through misty, dark lavender eyes. “You sure? I made a terrible mistake taking this into my own hands. Bad judgement.”

  “Yeh. It was. But, let’s see what happens. Hopefully, God led you.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  Monday morning scowled. The sky was a watery blue, so typical for Southern California’s coast. But, the sun seemed to be trying hard to break through. Natalie looked at the pale sky and wished. In a few hours it would be sunny and bright. Hopefully. Maybe she should move to Seattle to escape the June Gloom, as most Newporters dubbed it even in November. She parked her car and pulled out her office keys. Why was there a small crowd gathered in front of the main door?

  “Hey, Nat!” Bill Lord yelled. His son, Bill Lord Junior, grinned behind him. “This is a neat idea.” Both men’s heads nodded. What? And, who were these other people? She looked around. So many old members. She recognized many – Lydia Lovejoy, Noelle’s mom Kerstin, Bill Senior’s wife Vivian, and others she didn’t know by name but recognized from seeing them in the gym from time to time. Steady clients who she should get to know by name. She needed to socialize more with her members. When she saw Bryce wave his hand, she knew it was going as Claire had planned and hoped.

  ~

  Natalie slumped in her desk chair. Claire pulled the other straight-backed one up across from her. Maybe she should invest in a more comfortable chair for visitors. Maybe two. When she first opened the gym, she was on a super tight budget. Actually, it wasn’t even a budget; it was just what she had at the time in her meager bank account. Now that she was a bit more profitable, and since Emily was redecorating, she needed to upgrade her personal space, too. She would get Emily’s advice.

  Claire must have read her mind. “Uh, Nat, would you mind if I donated a more comfy chair to replace this one?”

  Nat couldn’t resist the belly laugh escaping her throat. Claire caught the laughter floating in the air and joined her. Nat almost wanted to bottle it she needed it so much.

  When they had both stopped gasping for breath, Nat tapped the pen in her hand on the desktop. “So?” It was an open-ended question. Claire shrugged her shoulders. “I think,” she said, “we learned about his faith, or lack of it. But, we didn’t learn much more.”

  “You are, of course, referring to Bryce?” Nat asked.

  “Yes. I also think it’s time you confronted him. Maybe with Melanie present,” she suggested.

  “Yes, I agree. This charade has gone on too long.” Nat rubbed her nose and squeezed it. A little snort escaped. “He needs to confess. Both for his sake and mine.” She picked up her phone. “I will call Mel now and see if she can come.”

  Melanie agreed and said she could be there after five when all the kidlets were picked up from aftercare at the preschool. It was her day to stay until then.

  She showed up at five-ten looking a bit disheveled. Raking her fingers through her brown hair and looked down at her attire of cutoffs and tee, she said, “The last parent didn’t pick up until almost five. I know they have work and other obligations, but it does seem unfair.”

  Natalie knew Mel was uncomfortable in her preschool teacher outfit. But, she envied her having all the support of Christian teachers and parents around her. Must make a difference.

  “Okay,” Melanie said, “What’s the plan?”

  Natalie and Claire looked at each other with confusion. What was the plan? Was there one?

  Fortunately, organized Melanie took over and they called Bryce into the office. Good thing he was still there and teaching clients.

  “Hi, ladies! You requested my presence?” He looked upbeat and confident. Natalie groaned silently. Claire shook her head slightly. Melanie took charge.

  ~

  “I can’t believe she got him to confess.” Natalie and Claire were having coffee in Nat’s small living room. Melanie had gone home after the confrontation using tired as an excuse. Nat believed her. She couldn’t imagine nine hours a day with three and four year olds wetting pants and throwing food. Melanie was a saint in Nat’s eyes.

  Claire shifted in her spot on the sofa. “What now?” she asked hoping for some nugget of truth or consequences from Natalie.

  “He seemed contrite, and very embarrassed.”

  “Should have been,” Claire stated. “I guess the next step is from you.”

  Natalie wove her fingers together until her knuckles turned white. She felt so conflicted. She knew she was supposed to forgive, and the hardest part, forget. The last part was hard. It would be so much easier to forgive Bryce if he had confessed after her diving accident that he was the one who had abandoned her to struggle to her car and drive alone to the ER. Why, she asked herself, didn’t he do that? Why hadn’t he run to her, helped her, taken her to the hospital?

  Nat looked at Claire with eyes bubbling over. The other woman didn’t help much; she just nodded and smiled. Then, she prayed holding Nat’s hands in hers.

  Tomorrow Natalie would invite Bryce to church for next Sunday. It was a start, a hopeful one. Maybe Pastor Kenton’s message and the wonderful upbeat music by Tim Timmons would inspire him. Hopefully.

  Natalie wasn’t sure she was glad Bryce agreed to attend church with her. What would it accomplish? Would it really make a difference?

  She arranged to meet him there since she was still uncomfortable sitting next to him in a car. How would he arrive? On cycle or in car? What did that matter as long as he came with an open mind. And heart.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  Another June gloom day. Although it was officially November. She guessed God and the weatherman hadn’t noticed. In a few days it would be Thanksgiving and real fall with the smell of roasting turkey drifting out of all the houses and condos and apartments. Other than Christmas, it was her favorite holiday. Or, was she hungry?

  She pulled her little car into the upper parking area of the huge church lot. She hadn’t noticed before, but when she walked down the series of stairs to the festive outdoor area where all the information kiosks were set up, there was a designated area for motorcycle parking. One looked familiar, maybe Bryce’s? She hoped because that would mean she had a good excuse to not go anywhere with him after the service. No way would she ride a cycle again, even though the only time she had she had been clinging to one of the handsome Bill Lords. She passed The Tent with the loud, but wonderful inspirational music, radiating out of it. The Tent had been erected some months ago to accommodate parishioners who loved Tim Timmons’ music style. It was all praise music, much of it written by Timmons, but the main part of the service with the pastor’s message was video cast on a huge screen inside. That’s when she noticed Bryce. Standing at The Tent entrance, hips swaying and arms upraised.

  ~

  “So,” Claire sighed loudly as the exclamation escaped her mouth. “You haven’t told me all the details.”

  “On a one to ten scale, I’d say it was an 8.5.” Claire raised her dark eyebrows. “But,
who can assess another’s faith walk? I got the impression he was more into the music than the message. But, that’s okay. Whatever encourages one to seek the Lord works for me.”

  “After the service?” Claire asked.

  “Just a hug and thanking him for coming. He thanked me, too, and said he was glad he did.”

  “No comment about attending again in the future?”

  “Nope. But I told him I hoped he would come again, and he nodded. I guess that meant he might.”

  “Now,” Claire said positioning herself firmly in the hardback chair in Nat’s office. “Billy time.”

  “What do you mean? Do I have to do this all over again?”

  “You don’t have to do anything. But, don’t you want to know what, if any, faith Billy has?”

  ~

  Natalie couldn’t believe she was doing it again. This time inviting Billy to church. She knew God encouraged it and said to “tell all the world.” Or, something like that. What surprised her when she crossed the quad this Sunday was the couple standing in front of one of the information booths, the one about Learning More. She hesitated, then Emily noticed her and squealed her name and threw her arms around Nat. Emily and Nick, what a surprise.

  Then she spied Billy looking uncomfortable and forlorn. She nodded to Nick and extradited herself from Emily’s embrace and rushed over to him. Maybe inviting him and pressuring him to come was a bad idea. When they almost collided, he hugged her tight and whispered in her ear.

  “Waiting for you. Not sure where I should go. But, I am ready.”

  They climbed up to the second level of the huge seating and scrunched by several people to avoid toes and purses and settled. To Nat’s surprise, Billy appeared to be listening to every word in the songs and the pastor’s message. At one point he reached for her hand and squeezed it.